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Now we have tragic information to report from the world of actuality TV at present.
James Barker, a producer on Love Island USA, has handed away whereas filming the present’s eighth season in Fiji.
Information of Barker’s loss of life comes courtesy of an announcement from Peacock and ITV America.
“James’ unimaginable loss has been deeply felt throughout not simply your complete Love Island USA manufacturing, however all through all of ITV and Peacock,” the networks mentioned in a joint assertion (through Individuals).
“He was a beloved and significantly valued member of our collective household whose kindness, expertise and dedication left an indelible mark on all of us and everybody who had the privilege of realizing and dealing with him.”
Peacock and ITV additionally introduced that Barker shall be honored in the course of the June 16 episode of Love Island USA.
No reason behind loss of life has been publicly disclosed, however insiders have divulged that Barker died following an “surprising medical emergency” final week.
Barker joined Love Island USA in 2020 as a narrative producer earlier than rising by way of the ranks to turn out to be government producer for the present’s previous three seasons.
Alongside the way in which, he performed a key position in each manufacturing and post-production and helped oversee the collection’ soundtrack.
Barker’s tv profession started at Leftfield Photos in 2011, the place he labored on fashionable actuality applications together with Pawn Stars, Cast in Fireplace, and Counting Automobiles.
He later added credit on Queer Eye and several other different unscripted tasks earlier than turning into one of many driving artistic forces behind Love Island USA and its spinoffs.
Simply days earlier than his loss of life, Barker celebrated the launch of Season 8 on social media.
“We come to Fiji for magic,” he wrote in a June 3 Instagram publish whereas praising the forged and crew behind the collection.
Information of Barker’s loss of life despatched shockwaves by way of the Love Island neighborhood, notably as a result of the producer had turn out to be such an integral a part of the franchise’s current success.
Season 8 premiered on June 2 with Ariana Madix returning as host, and manufacturing has continued in Fiji following Barker’s passing.
Tributes from colleagues and followers rapidly started showing on-line after the announcement, with many expressing disbelief over the sudden lack of a producer who was broadly revered all through the truth tv business.
Our ideas exit to Barker’s family members throughout this extremely troublesome time.
We may have additional updates on this growing story as new data turns into out there.